Disk package

ABSTRACT

A package for a data storage disk such as a CD or a DVD, has a tray with a recess accommodating the disk and received in a sleeve with inwardly bent tabs at its mouth for engagement with the recess to prevent full withdrawal of the tray form the sleeve.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

My present invention relates to a disk package and especially a packagefor a disk-shaped data storage medium, especially optical data storagemedia like, for example, CDs or DVDS.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

By and large disk-shaped data storage media are packaged in so-calledjewel boxes which have two portions hinged together and one of which isformed with a recess in the shape of the optical storage disk, namely,the CD or DVD, and can have a formation snapping through the hole at thecenter of the disk. In a simpler, earlier storage unit, the package wasformed by a sleeve into which the disk was inserted. In still anotherarrangement a plastic tray was provided in an outer container and theoptical data storage disk was fitted within the recess in the tray.Plastic systems of the aforedescribed type tended to be breakable andthe sleeve approach did not sufficiently protect the disk.

In EP 1 140 639 B1, a tray carrying the disk can be received within acardboard sleeve to protect the disk which is recessed in the tray. Thelatter system has the drawback that automatic or automated insertion ofthe tray in the sleeve is precluded by the manner in which the tray isfixed in the sleeve to prevent it from pulling fully out of the sleeve.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide animproved disk package of the last mentioned type.

Another object is to provide a package which facilitates automatedassembly but nevertheless will prevent the tray from fully withdrawingfrom the sleeve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These objects are achieved, according to the invention by providing onthe sleeve blank at least one formation which can be bent into theinterior of the sleeve on folding of the blank and which can engage atray inserted into the sleeve to form an abutment enabling only partialwithdrawal of the tray but permitting automated insertion of the traywith the disk into the sleeve.

According to a feature of the invention, two such tabs are provided atthe mouth of the sleeve and are positioned and dimensioned to engage inthe disk-receiving recess of the tray at the innermost portion of theedge thereof to allow most of the tray to be drawn out of the tray forinsertion and removal of the disk.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The above and other objects, features, and advantages will become morereadily apparent from the following description, reference being made tothe accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blank for a disk package sleeveaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the package with the tray partiallywithdrawn and the disk broken away;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the package with the tray withdrawn toits stop and the sleeve partly broken away; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the closed package.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

As can be seen from FIG. 1, a blank for forming a sleeve for the diskpackage can comprises a front panel 10 which is formed along its upperedge 11 with a pair of tabs 12 and 13, intended to be folded in andtoward the viewer along that edge to occupy the positions shown indot-dash lines at 14 and 15 in FIG. 1.

At the bottom, the panel 10 is formed with a cut out 16 enabling thepurchaser to see that a tray is in the sleeve and facilitating theinsertion for pressing up of the tray by a user. A pair of edge panels17 and 18 are provided along opposite edges of the panel 10 and adjoinglue flaps 19 and 20. A bottom panel 21 is connected between the frontpanel 10 and a rear panel 22 which Is coextensive with the front panel10 fold edges 23 are provided between the panels to form the sleeve, therear panel 22 is folded parallel to the front panel 10 and the glueflaps 19 and 20 are glued to the inner surface of the panel 22.

The result is the sleeve shown at 30 in FIG. 2 with its front panel 10,its rear panel 22, a side panel 17, a bottom panel 21 and the tabs 12and 13 turned inwardly as previously described.

The sleeve 30 receives a tray 31 formed with a circular recess 32 toaccommodate the disk shaped storage media, here referred to as the disk33. Holes 34 in the tray enable the disk 33 to be pressed out of therecess 32. In FIG. 4 the tray 31 is shown to be fully received withinthe sleeve 30 and is visible through the cutout 16 so that a finger canpress the tray upwardly in the direction of the arrow 35.

In FIG. 3, the recess 32 to have an inner edge 35 which can be engagedby the tabs 12 and 13 to prevent the tray 31 from being fully withdrawnfrom the sleeve. Preferably the edge 35 and the tabs 12 and 13 socooperate that the tabs 12 and 13 form abutments or stops for the traywhen more than one half of the tray has been withdrawn from the sleeve,i.e. the formation 36 (which engages in the disk) at the center isoutside the sleeve.

The formation 36 can be pressed into the hole usually provided at thecenter of the disk to retain it centered in the recess.

It will be apparent that this package can be assembled by automatedmachinery simply by inserting the tray, usually with the disk 33 inplace, into the sleeve until the edge 35 passes the tabs 12 and 13,whereupon the tray will be locked by engagement of these tabs with theedge 35 when the next attempt is made to withdraw the tray from thesleeve. A similar recess 32 can be provided on the opposite side of thetray to receive another disk. The tray 31 can be composed of plasticwhile the blank and sleeve are composed of cardboard, plastic coatedpaper or paper board.

1. A package for data storage medium in the form of a disk whichcomprises: a sleeve having a mouth; a tray received in said sleeve andreceiving said disk; and at least one tab on said sleeve proximal tosaid mouth for engaging said tray and for full withdrawal of said trayfrom said sleeve.
 2. The package defined in claim 1 wherein said tray isformed with a recess receiving said disk and having an edge engageablewith said tab.
 3. The package defined in claim 2 wherein said tab isformed unitarily with said sleeve and is bent inwardly thereon with saidmouth.
 4. The package defined in claim 3 wherein at least two spacedapart tabs are provided at said mouth and are folded inwardly on saidsleeve.
 5. The package defined in claim 4 wherein said sleeve is formedfrom a blank of sheet material in one piece with said tabs and panelsdefining the sleeve.
 6. The package as defined in claim 1 wherein saidsleeve is formed with an opening affording access to said tray wherebysaid tray can be pressed out of said sleeve.
 7. The package as definedin claim 6 wherein said tray is composed of a plastic.